On February 11, 1858, fourteen-year-old Bernadette Soubirous had gone to collect firewood with her sister and a friend. At the cave of Massabielle a lady dressed in white appeared to her. She invited Bernadette to pray the rosary with her. The lady would appear to Bernadette eighteen times.
On February 24th, the lady asked for prayer and penance for the conversion of sinners. The following day, she asked Bernadette to dig in the ground and drink of the water that was found there. The townspeople laughed of Bernadette as she drank the muddy ground, but the next day a spring started to flow. Many miraculous cures were soon reported by those who drank the water.
On March 25th, Our Lady finally revealed her identity, declaring “I am the Immaculate Conception.” On January 18, 1860, the local bishop declared that Mary had indeed appeared to Bernadette. Lourdes has long been a popular pilgrimage site, especially for those seeking healing. St. Bernadette was canonized in 1933.
Prayer
Our Lady of Lourdes, please ask your son to heal us in all the ways we need to be healed.
Reflection
Bernadette was ready to do whatever Our Lady asked, even if it meant being a laughingstock by drinking mud. Are we willing to do what God asks even when it means we might be laughed at?
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